Madden Monday: 'I've conned myself into thinking Russell Wilson is going to have a good year'

Up until this point on the “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive has yet to fully embrace the idea that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ revamped quarterback position is going to lead to a significant change in productivity.

However, during this week’s installment, Madden admits to some expanding optimism when it comes to the potential for Russell Wilson’s play.

“One thing I have kind of conned myself into thinking is Russell Wilson is going to have a good year,” Madden said.

Good? Or just better than his last two years in Denver?

“Much better than Denver,” Madden replied. “I think he’s going to have a year that we can’t complain about. It’s ‘Last Chance Saloon.’ He is experienced. He is talented. And I think he will not get rattled by their lack of offensive weapons. I think they’ll know how to make the most of what he has.”

That lack of weaponry exists, in part, because the Steelers have yet to replace Diontae Johnson at wide receiver. He was dealt to Carolina this offseason for cornerback Donte Jackson. But the closest they have come to replacing him as the No. 2 target is drafting third-rounder Roman Wilson and acquiring a slew of journeymen castoffs who would project as little more than marginal contributors on most NFL teams.

“That Diontae trade, now as then, strikes me as a deal that they made to get rid of somebody without a plan B as to what would happen with dominoes falling,” Madden said.

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One way to potentially offset the loss of Johnson is to incorporate tight end Pat Freiermuth more often. Freiermuth, by the way, is entering the fourth and final year of his entry-level contract. So, he may be looking for a new deal before the regular season starts.

Madden thinks the Steelers would be wise to stay away from an extension.

“I don’t know why you’d give Freiermuth a contract,” Madden said. “I think he has been a real disappointment. And he doesn’t block.”

After seven touchdowns with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback during his rookie season, Freiermuth has managed just two in both of the last two seasons. Hamstring and concussion issues have also gotten in the way of Freiermuth’s progress over the last two years. In 2023, his catches tumbled to 32 from 63 the year before and his yards dipped from 732 to 308.

I still think Freiermuth can be a really good tight end in this league. But the Steelers may be wise to stay away from an extension that has any type of significant cap hit to it and run the risk of extending Freiermuth after this year instead.

Not only because his health issues have been a concern. But let’s see how much Wilson uses the middle of the field. Something that hasn’t always been his strongest suit.

As far as Wilson himself, I’m more guarded in my optimism than Madden is. I expect he’ll be an improvement over the Kenny Pickett/Mitch Trubisky level of achievement we’ve seen the last two years, but not much.

That could be good enough to squeak the Steelers into the playoffs. Yet, I’m not betting on the Steelers’ playoff-win drought to end in 2024.

Also in the podcast, Madden and I talk about numerous Penguins issues, the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Pirates’ recently concluded homestand and Caitlin Clark being left off of the American Olympic team for women’s basketball.